Provincial Rugby Roundup

After six rounds of Section A of the Munster Junior League, three teams are level at the top, while the battle to avoid playing in Division 2 next season sees ten sides in a big scramble to get out of the relegation zone.

With leaders Richmond idle this weekend both Bandon and Kilfeacle have joined them at the top of the table level on points, but Richmond slip to third place on bonus points differences.

Kilfeacle won the big Tipperary derby beating local rivals Clanwilliam 40-20 at Morrissey Park. Clanwilliam led 17-12 at the break. Clan’ had tries from Ben Downey and Darragh Burke. Niall Leahy converted both tries and also added two penalties. Kilfeacle scored six tries with Gavin Heuston scoring two, and Kevin Kinnane, Darren Ryan, Keith Bourke, and Diarmuid O’Donnell getting one each. Luke Heuston kicked five conversions.

Bandon defeated local rivals Skibbereen 38-14. Ben Donegan scored two tries for Bandon, Darragh O’Brien, Josh Mahony, and Ben Ridgeway got one apiece. They were also awarded a penalty try. Ridgeway added three conversions. Despite trailing 38-0, Skibbereen rallied in the closing stages with tries from Adam Sheehan, and Dan Duggan, and both were converted by David Shannon.

Defending champions Newcastle West lost further ground after they shared the spoils away to Mallow 7-7 in a fiery contest. Ronan Mills scored a try for Mallow which Dave Cogan converted. Darragh Fox was the Newcastle West try scorer and Shane Airey converted.

Thomond won a cracking Limerick derby away to St. Mary’s in an eight try thriller at Grove Island 29-27. Conor Radcliffe, Eddie Fraher, Roberto Kelly, and Max Zerdel scored tries for Thomond. Eoghan Sherlock kicked three conversions and a penalty. Adam Kiely replied with two tries for the Saints, David Hogan, and Shane Ryan got one each. Jazz Pendejito kicked two conversions and a penalty.

Trailing 17-0 at one stage, Clonakilty staged a great rally to secure a 36-22 home win over Muskerry. Olan Deane, Colin Deane, Conor Hayes, and Jim Twomey scored tries for the home side, who were also awarded a penalty try. Eoin Downey kicked a penalty and three conversions. Mick Dillane, Tom Griffin, Lewis Grice, and Eoin O’Leary replied with tries for Muskerry. Rob Cahill added one conversion.

Thurles had a 15-10 away win at Crosshaven with tries from Eoghan O’Dwyer and Eamonn Connolly, and Paddy McGrath added a conversion and a penalty. Crosshaven replied with tries from Jack O’Connell and Darragh Fehilly.

Old Christians defeated bottom side Abbeyfeale 30-7. Ryan O’Connell, Rob McKenna, Niall McCarthy, and Conor Dolan scored tries for Old Christians. Dolan added two conversions and two penalties. Sean Kilbride replied with a try and a conversion for the visitors.

Fethard have extended their lead at the top of Section B to eleven points after their 21-7 away win at Carrick-on-Suir. Peter Wall scored two tries for Fethard and Paddy Gaynor got one. Josef O’Connor kicked two penalties. Neil Moriarty replied with a try for Carrick which Fionn Barry converted.

Fermoy defeated Waterford City 27-18 to get back into a challenging position for promotion. Peter Clancy and Ian Pratt scored tries for Fermoy, and Ben Twomey kicked five penalties and a conversion. NJ Carlson scored a try for Waterford City, and they were also awarded a penalty try. Noah Mellors added two penalties.

Galbally-Mitchelstown defeated Ennis 19-6. Pat Shanahan, Brendan Childs, and Dylan O’Gorman scored tries for the winners and John Kearins added two penalties. Sean Hayes replied with two penalties for Ennis.

Scariff ended Cobh Pirates’ recent good run with a 15-10 home victory. Darragh Tracey and Mark Walsh scored tries for the Clare side and Jason Monaghan kicked a conversion and a penalty. Jack Worrall replied with a try for Cobh and Rory Pierce converted and also added a penalty.

Kinsale maintained their lead at the top of Section C with a 27-12 home win over Tralee. Paul Graham (2), Brian O’Donnell, Ben O’Connor, and Jordan Wright scored tries for Kinsale. Dylan Lacy kicked two conversions and a penalty. Ben Glavin replied with two tries for Tralee and Seamus Lyne added a conversion.

Kanturk ended Charleville’s unbeaten run with a 17-11 victory at Kanturk. Stephen McAuliffe, Dylan Moynihan, and Richard O’Brien scored tries for Kanturk. McAuliffe added one conversion.

Ballincollig also remain unbeaten after their 36-19 home win over Douglas. James McGlinchey scored two tries for the winners and Robbie McSweeney, Liam McGarry, Jason O’Connor, and Dave Power also got tries. McGarry added three conversions. Dave McCarthy, Luke Johnson, and Fionn O’Sullivan replied with tries for Douglas and Padraig McSweeney kicked two conversions.

A penalty and a drop goal by Joe Sheehy earned Castleisland a 6-3 home win over Killarney. Donnchadh Grealy replied with a penalty for Killarney.